
Mexican Mac and Cheese
Get ready to spice up your dinner routine with a delicious twist on a classic comfort food: Mexican Mac and Cheese!
This vibrant dish combines creamy macaroni with zesty Mexican flavours, creating a mouthwatering experience that’s sure to please everyone at the table. Packed with black beans, smoky spices, and a rich vegan cheese sauce, this recipe is satisfying and nourishing. Perfect for family dinners or meal prep, let’s dive into the flavours of Mexico with this easy-to-follow recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 packet Lifestyle Food Gluten Free Macaroni Pasta
- 1½ cups cooked black beans
- ⅓ cup chopped red onion
- 1 can tomato onion mix
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Lifestyle Food Honey
- Splash of lime juice
- Lifestyle Food Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for frying)
- 1 tsp Lifestyle Food Paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1-2 crushed garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For the Vegan Cheese Sauce:
- 1 cup soaked Lifestyle Food Raw Cashews
- 1 cup vegan creamed cheese or regular cottage cheese
- 2 cups Lifestyle Food Oat Milk
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ⅓ cup Lifestyle Food Nutritional Yeast Flakes
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Cheese (for topping)
To Serve:
- Sliced jalapeños (for topping)
- Fresh coriander (for serving)
Method:
- Prepare the Lifestyle Food Gluten Free Macaroni Pasta according to the packet instructions until al dente.
- In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped red onion, Lifestyle Food Paprika, cumin, and crushed garlic. Sauté until fragrant.
- Add the black beans, tomato onion mix, tomato paste, Lifestyle Food Honey, lime juice, and seasoning to the pan. Let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld together.
- Drain the cooked pasta and combine it with the bean sauce. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish.
- In a blender, combine the Lifestyle Food Soaked Raw Cashews, vegan creamed cheese (or cottage cheese), Lifestyle Food Oat Milk, cornstarch, Lifestyle Food Nutritional Yeast Flakes, and salt and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni mixture in the baking dish. Top with additional cheese if desired. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve hot, garnished with sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro.
This Mexican Mac and Cheese is a delightful fusion of flavours that brings together the comfort of classic mac and cheese with the exciting tastes of Mexican cuisine. It’s an easy way to incorporate more plant-based ingredients into your meals while satisfying your cravings for something hearty and delicious.